This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR, Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) number 688-84-00. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular number 97-19. The SIC code for this solicitation is 7299. The small business size standard is 500 employees. Description of Work: Contractor to provide a denier to assist in the performance of autopsies at the VA Medical Center, as required, within 2 hours of a telephonic request for services. The contract award period is October 2000 thru September 2001 with an option for four (4) additional years. The denier shall perform the following duties: (1) Assist the staff and resident pathologists in the postmortem examination as needed. (2) Perform delicate and skilled dissection techniques in removing organs and/or parts of organs from the human body and eye enucleation, (3) Ascertaining that all representative tissues required and permitted are removed and collected according to guidelines set forth and regulated by VA, (4) Removal of samples of blood, tissue or body fluid for use in bacteriological study and tissue culture procedures. The contractor will maintain these specimens under aseptic conditions for diagnostic purposes, using sterilzation procedures and guidelines set forth by VA, (5) Preparation of body for transportation to funeral home (taking into consideration the requirements for future embalming procedures) as well as various legal implications regarding identification and limitations of examination permission, (6) The Contractor shall be responsible for the clean and orderly condition of the autopsy room and all of the instruments and equipment involved in performing the autopsy; (7) The Contractor shall keep an inventory of all instruments, chemicals and supplies and will submit requisitions for new supplies as required. The Contractor shall provide a price for each case (autopsy) for each year (Base + 4 additional years). Acceptance time will be 60 days from bid opening date. The following provisions apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, 52.212-3 Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, 52.214-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, 52.219-2 Equal Low Bids, and 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions including Clauses incorporated by reference under Section (b) (6) 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (EO 11246), 52.222-3 Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 USC 4212), 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 USC 793), and 52.225-3 Buy American Act-Supplies (41 USC 10). Bidders responding to this announcement shall submit a bid along with the information required in 52.212-1 and a completed copy of provision 52.212-3 and VAAR 852.219-70 Veteran Owned Small Business (Dec 1990) to VA Medical Center (688/90C), Room 1B-112, 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422 by 9/27/00 at 4:30pm Local Time. Faxed bids will be accepted. All responsible sources will be considered. This solicitation is set aside 100% for small businesses.